SunGod Velans 2 review: sunglasses worn by Netcompany Ineos riders are very good, but lack a little style sparkle 

SQUIRREL_14029152

The SunGod Velans 2 sunglasses get almost everything right. The optics are excellent and the fit is secure, making these performance glasses an easy recommendation for road and gravel riders.  

While the frame feels a little plasticky and the styling lacks the visual polish of some premium rivals, neither compromise impacts you while you're riding. 

SunGod Velans 2 performance 

At £125, the SunGod Velans 2 glasses represent good value considering they're being used by Netcompany Ineos riders.  

Meanwhile, they undercut other performance eyewear options such as the Oakley Encoder Strike (£241 / €272 / $293), Scicon Aeroshade 2.0 (£230 / €220 / $265) and 100% Hypercraft (approx. £150 / €159) on price. 

Despite this, comfort is one of their biggest strengths. At 28g on my scales, the Velans 2 sunnies are light enough that they're barely noticeble when riding. I didn't feel any pressure hotspots developing around my temples or ears over several hours in the saddle. 

There are also two spare nose pieces to help the sunglasses fit better, should you need them. 

The updated arm design strikes an excellent balance between security and comfort. It grips firmly enough that the glasses remain planted over rough roads and broken tarmac without ever feeling as if they're squeezing your head.  

In the particularly hot weather we’ve ‘enjoyed’ this summer in the UK, copious sweating hasn’t caused these sunglasses to slide (something I have experienced on occasion with my trusty set of Oakley Jawbreakers).  

Optically, there's very little to criticise. The ‘8KO’ nylon lenses provide excellent clarity across the entire field of view, with natural colour transmission and enough contrast to make imperfections in the road surface easy to spot.  

This will be different depending on the colourway you opt for – my test set had relatively plain-looking ‘smoke’ lenses, but you can also opt for something bolder with a different frame colour. 

Fundamentally, the field of vision is unobscured, although the lenses don’t reach as far down or wide as some other competitors with sweep-style lenses. I found this resulted in a bit of extra light leaking in from the underside of the lens than I’m used to – but I acclimatised fairly quickly. 

The upsides are good ventilation and a decent amount of clearance from the cheekbones to the underside of the lens, reducing the chance of sweaty contact. They also stand far off so as not to get scraped by my long eyelashes. 

SunGod claims the lenses provide up to 70 per cent clearer vision than standard polycarbonate alternatives. While I have no complaints about the optical quality, I can't positively conclude they're ‘better’ than the premium lenses fitted to other cycling sunglasses.  

The pronounced upper frame does an excellent job of preventing bright midday sunlight from sneaking over the top of the lens and creating glare on the inside surface.

If there's one area where the Velans 2 glasses fall short, it's perceived quality. The recycled plastic frame is perfectly solid in use and has proven durable throughout testing, but it lacks the reassuring density and premium finish of some competing frames. It feels a little cheaper compared to the more detailed design of my Jawbreakers, for example. 

That's arguably the trade-off for using recycled materials (and keeping the design quite simple), but SunGod deserves a little credit for considering sustainability in its manufacture. They’re made in China though, similar to many sunglasses, so the carbon footprint is still sizeable, if that matters to you.  

SunGod Velans 2 bottom line 

The SunGod Velans 2 sunglasses offer decent value for premium performance.  

Excellent optics, good comfort and a secure fit make them very good sunglasses. They may not look or feel quite as premium as some (more expensive) shades but once you're riding, it’s easy to overlook this on performance alone. 

SQUIRREL_14029152